Girl on: Torah Bright
Mar 20 2008 / Los Angeles, CAQueen of the Snow Down Under
Lat34 catches up with the beautiful and talented Torah Bright.
When Torah Bright won the gold medal at the 2007 Winter X games in the Superpipe competition, she became the first Australian to ever win a Winter X gold. Pretty wild accomplishment from an Aussie rider who had just recently turned 20 years old (she's since reached her 21st).
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Yet there's plenty more to observe and admire with Torah. She reached the Olympics in 2006 and finished in the top five, barely missing out on a medal. In 2007 she was the epitome of consistency, regularly reaching the podium and winning quite a few events.
And with contests like the Burton US Open Snowboarding Championships and the Roxy Chicken Jam coming up, you can be sure to catch Australia's Snow Queen herself, Torah Bright, competing for yet another first place finish and the top spot at the podium.
Check out this interview with Torah done last year before the US Open...
Lat34: How do you end up becoming a professional snowboarder hailing from the land of perfect surf?
Torah: Well, we have mountains in Australia, and where I live is really close to the mountains. Closer to the mountains than the surf.
Lat34: Where do you hail from in Australia?
Torah: It's a little town called Cooma, about an hour and a half south of Canberra, which is the capital.
Lat34: Where is the nearest mountain? Divulge the snow situation in Australia, since most people know very little about it.
Torah: We only have snow on the southeast coast. In New South Wales and Victoria, just bordering the state line there. We have snow for about three months of the year, and we don't get that much.
Lat34: You only get snow for three months?
Torah: Yup, and it's pretty much spring all year round, except for the occasional two centimeter powder day. (Laughs) I have to admit, I've had some of the funnest days ever riding in Australia.
Lat34: A barometer in the states for riding quality is the dryness of the snow, and vertical drop. How big is the mountain you grew up on?
Torah: I grew up on Thredbo. I'm not so sure about the measurements, but they're really not that long. Our longest run would probably take you two minutes to get down.
Lat34: Practically every dominant snowboarder I know grew up learning on crap. Ice, slush, just low altitude crap. Is that what makes you so good, learning to excel in the worst conditions?
Torah: I'm not quite sure. I reckon learning on soft, plushy snow is probably the best, since you'll maybe take more chances, you know? I don't know, that's interesting.
Lat34: You competed in last year's Winter Olympics. How did you do?
Torah: I came fifth.
Lat34: At first glance, you wouldn't think that Australia would have much representation at the Winter Olympics. How was the experience?
Torah: We actually had a pretty big team. We had two girls and three guys for the halfpipe in snowboarding.
The experience was incredible. Wearing the uniform was the best part for sure! We had the gold and green-striped track suits, it was pretty awesome.
Lat34: You're not the first member of the Bright family to compete in the Olympics though. Your sister competed in 2002, correct?Torah: Yeah, she did. In ski racing.
Lat34: Do you two do gladiator wars to see who's better, snowboarders or skiers?
Torah: Well, no, because it's an easy win with the snowboarding. (Laughing) I love skiing though. I still ski with my sister, it's awesome.
Lat34: You're a Roxy girl. I have never, ever witnessed a Roxy girl who is not just absolutely beautiful. And all the Roxy girls wear either hot pink or baby blue. In essence, Roxy means talented and hot.
Torah: (Laughing) You walk into their office down there, and everyone is amazing looking.
Lat34: Where do you train?
Torah: It depends really, but Utah is my base. I ride here whenever I'm not traveling or competing.
Lat34: Where in Utah?
Torah: Park City and Brighton.
Lat34: There are a lot of you pros up there.
Torah: There are so many people who have either been here for years or are moving here. Great snow, and an airport being 15 minutes out of the city is perfect for traveling.
Lat34: Torah, you're gorgeous. Who's the lucky guy dating you right now?
Torah: No lucky guy.
Lat34: What? Why?
Torah: (Laughs) I'm a busy girl, I'm all over the place! One day.
Lat34: Most people in the southern hemisphere who ride hail not so much from Australia, but from New Zealand. I know Aussies and Kiwis (New Zealanders) have a little rivalry going. Does the rivalry exist in your world, or are you happy when the Kiwis succeed?
Torah: I love the Kiwis, and I spend a lot of time over there during our winter because they have better snow and they have better mountains. They've kind of adopted us a little bit, so we can't really give them too much grief.
Lat34: Did they adopt you like real children or step-children? There is a big difference.
Torah: Probably more like step-children. (Laughing)
Lat34: You're a fairly devout Mormon. Do you follow the religion to the T, like no caffeine or alcohol?
Torah: I'm Mormon. I follow it. I haven't even tasted alcohol.
Lat34: Are you ever tempted Torah? A lot of your teammates and fellow riders, especially on the pro circuit, are known to dabble occasionally in the party scene. Is the temptation there, or are you that strong-willed?
Torah: I made a decision that I just wasn't going to drink, and I think it was a good one because when I'm out, when everybody else is partying, they think I'm the drunkest one there. (Laughing) So it's probably a good move that I didn't drink.
Lat34: Do you surf? I mean you are from Australia.
Torah: I'm learning. I started last summer, and I am in love. I dream of it! It's so good. (Laughing)
- Cyrus Saatsaz
